SLOPER ON MAH-JONGG

American Mah Jongg (2012 NMJL card). With these random deals, what would you pass in the Charleston?

1. Maybe W-D #3 could work. Always consider Consec. too; keep all low numbers. No jokers, so also consider S&P #1. High numbers can go; pass anything higher than four.

2. Ones and sevens, in different suits. Could go Elevens, but you'll need 4Cs. Always consider Consec. too; 6-7-8-9 looks better than 1-2-3-4. Those bams might possibly make S&P #2, but probably not. The passers are S 2B 8C 2C; pick three.

3. Greens and jokers. Could go W-D #4. Evens #6 is kinda far away. Consec. #6 would need a run in dots; Consec. #4 might be an option, though. Those craks look expendable to me.

4. Where have all the jokers gone? Strong Consec. possibilities. I'd lose low numbers and/or winds at this point.

5. Pair of nines, could go Consec., Like Nos., or 369. Those dragons don't work, except for 2012 or Consec. #6, maybe. Nah; just chuck whatever doesn't fit with 369 or simple Consec. I'd pass 1B, 2D, and E.

6. Pairs: flowers and threes. Maybe 369, maybe Odds, but there's a lot missing from this. Could go Consec. #6, but those flowers won't fit. I'd pass 1B N S.

7. Threes and jokers. This looks much better for 369, and could also go Consec. #3 (3-4-5-6). I'd pass eights and 2D.

8. Wow, four jokers. When this happens you have to be careful not to go for a hand that needs a pair (when you don't have the pair). That pair of ones can lead you astray; the mah-jongg gods love to give us red herrings like these. I like those high numbers better. Go Quints #4 (6-7-8) or Consec. #3 in craks and dots. I'd pass a 1B, accompanied by 2D 4B.

9. When it rains jokers, it pours. I'd go Odds. Junk tiles are winds and R.

10. How to use those greens? Consec. #4 or #6, or Evens #6. I'd pass W 1C 5C.

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